EP3581336A1 - Setting device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a setting device for fastening an element to a workpiece with a guide device which can be brought into mechanical contact with the element and which has an axial cavity for guiding the element, and with an axially movable stamp for moving the element in a setting direction through the cavity the guide device, the guide device having at least a first and a second guide element, the guide elements delimiting the axial cavity and being pretensioned by means of a pretensioning device by a pretensioning force acting radially inwards on the guide element, and wherein the guide device is assigned a detection device with which a Presence, position and / or position of an element in the area of the guide device can be detected.

Description

The present invention relates to a setting device for fastening an element to a workpiece.

In mass production of workpieces, setting devices are often used to attach to these elements, which provide certain functions. Such elements can be nut or bolt elements, for example, which serve as fastening points for further components. For example, such elements are used when it comes to attaching fasteners to sheet metal parts. A typical area of application for such seating devices is automotive engineering. But seating is also widely used in other areas.

It is very important for the quality of the workpiece that the element is fixed to the workpiece reliably and in a controlled manner. In other words, the element must be fed reproducibly and pressed against or into the workpiece. The pressing force required to fix the element is applied by a stamp. In order to enable the element to be brought up and positioned precisely, the setting device is provided with a guiding device which guides the element safely and in the correct position during the introduction and pressing. For this purpose, the guide device has an axial cavity through which the element is guided in a setting direction - ie towards the workpiece - by means of the axially movable plunger. The guide device has at least two guide elements which define the cavity or limit it in the radial direction. The leadership elements are pretensioned by means of a pretensioning device which generates a pretensioning force acting on at least one of the guide elements radially inwards - that is to say on a longitudinal axis of the cavity. This pretension ensures that the element can be guided through the cavity without lateral play, which minimizes the risk of the element tilting. The at least two guide elements can be moved relative to one another at least in sections. They are preferably formed separately. In certain cases, however, it is also possible to form the guide elements in one piece with one another, with an (elastic) bendability of the elements relative to one another being permitted. In this context, think of two half-shells, for example, which are connected to one another on their respective long sides (eg in one piece) and thus form a type of clip or ring with a slot. It is also possible to use a section of a component of the setting device receiving the guide device as a guide element and to provide at least one second guide element which is prestressed in the radial direction. For example, the prestressed guide element presses the fastening element to be set as it moves through the cavity against a section of an inner surface of a housing component that receives the guide device.

Such setting devices are generally known. However, malfunctions can occur, for example if the element is not fed correctly. Such malfunctions lead to defective workpieces and / or production downtimes, which are associated with considerable costs.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive and reliable setting device of the type mentioned at the outset which detects malfunctions.

This object is achieved by a setting device with the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, a guide device is assigned to the guide device, with which a presence, position and / or position of an element in the area of the guide device can be detected. In other words, the detection device makes it possible to monitor the approach of the element or to determine whether and if so how the element is supplied to the workpiece. In the event of a malfunction, warning signals can be issued at an early stage and / or countermeasures can be initiated (e.g. emergency stop or prevention of a restart of the setting process).

Advantageous developments of the present invention are specified in the claims, the description and the accompanying drawings.

According to one embodiment, the detection device has an electrical operating principle, in particular a capacitive, inductive and / or resistive operating principle, and / or an optical and / or magnetic and / or acoustic operating principle and / or comprises a force and / or pressure sensor. Different types of sensors and / or detectors can be combined to optimize the detection of the element.

For example, the detection device is at least partially integrated in at least one of the guide elements. Additionally or alternatively, at least one measuring tap or sensor of the detection device, viewed in the setting direction, can be arranged in an effective area of the guide device. This enables direct or indirect observation of the element in the area of the guide device.

In particular, the detection device comprises a first contact element, which is provided on an inside of the first guide element, and a second contact element, which is provided on an inside of the second guide element is, the contact elements during the movement of the element through the cavity can be brought into contact with it at least in sections or are at least temporarily in contact, and an electrical voltage and / or an electrical current can be applied between the contact elements by means of the detection device. Measuring the current, the voltage or the resistance between the contact elements makes it possible in a simple manner to detect the presence - and, with a corresponding design of the contact elements, also the position or location - of the element. In principle, it is possible to provide more than two contact elements, for example two or more contact elements per guide element, in particular the contact elements being arranged in sections axially offset in the setting direction and being separately controllable in order to detect an axial position, position and / or axial movement of the element , The guide elements themselves can form the contact elements, ie an inner surface of the guide elements forms the contact elements.

The detection device can comprise at least one magnetic field sensor, in particular a Hall sensor. This enables the detection of an element with para- or permanent magnetic properties. It is also conceivable to provide at least one magnetic field source (e.g. one or more coils and / or permanent magnets) and to detect and evaluate the changes in the magnetic field generated by the presence and / or movement of the element by one or more magnetic field sensors. With a suitable configuration of the generated magnetic field and corresponding arrangement of the sensor or sensors, it is possible to detect an axial position, position and / or axial movement of the element. In principle, this principle can also be implemented with electrical fields and corresponding sensors.

According to a further embodiment, the detection device comprises at least one measuring coil, in particular wherein the measuring coil is arranged coaxially with the cavity. The presence of an element changes the inductance of the Measuring coil, which can be easily recognized by known measuring methods. A change in the inductance over time also provides information about the movement of the element.

It is also conceivable that the detection device comprises at least one piezo sensor and / or at least one strain gauge, by means of which a force acting on at least one of the guide elements and / or a force between the guide elements can be detected.

Additionally or alternatively, the detection device can comprise at least one movement or distance sensor with which a movement of the guide device and / or at least one of the guide elements can be detected, in particular wherein a movement and / or a change in distance of the at least one of the guide elements relative to another component of the Setting device and / or a movement and / or a change in distance of the guide elements relative to one another can be detected. Using a motion sensor, it is possible, for example, to detect the change in a natural frequency of the guide device due to the presence of the element. To implement this measuring principle, an excited oscillation can be provided, which is deliberately generated by means of an appropriate oscillation source. However, it is also possible to analyze the oscillations / vibrations that occur during normal operation of the setting device.

The detection device can comprise at least one sound source and at least one sound sensor. The presence or position of the element can be determined by the detection of a change in the sound pattern and / or the detection of sound waves reflected on the element and / or transmitted by the element.

According to a further embodiment, the detection device comprises at least one compressed air source and at least one pressure sensor. For example, compressed air is introduced into the cavity and a pressure in the region of the cavity is determined by means of a pressure sensor. The pressure measured depends on whether and where the element is located in the cavity. The element is thus ultimately detected via a pressure measurement or an analysis of the temporal pressure curve.

According to a simple and robust design, the guide elements are at least partially, in particular completely, made of an electrically conductive material, preferably of metal.

In particular, adjacent guide elements in the circumferential direction are separated from one another by at least one interruption, for example by a slot.

The guide elements can be connected to one another by at least one connecting element bridging the interruption, in particular wherein the connecting element comprises an electrical conductor and / or a pressure, force and / or distance sensor. If the guide elements are pushed apart by the presence of the element, the interruption may increase, which in turn has an influence on the connecting element. This influence represents a measurement variable, the evaluation of which enables statements about the state of the setting device or the presence and / or position of the element.

The guide elements can be electrically insulated from one another. This is particularly advantageous if the guide elements (or parts thereof) themselves act as electrical contacts.

At least one insulating element can be arranged in each case in the interruption, in particular wherein the insulating element comprises an electrically insulating and / or the elastic material or is made entirely therefrom. The detection device can be arranged at least partially in the interruption and / or - if present - can be integrated in the insulating element.

According to a structurally advantageous embodiment, the prestressing device comprises at least one (at least in sections) elastic prestressing element (e.g. a prestressing element at least partially, in particular completely consisting of an elastomer), which surrounds the guide elements on its radial outer side (directly adjacent or indirectly) in the circumferential direction. For example, it can comprise a closed, in particular annular, elastic prestressing element in the circumferential direction. The biasing element can be connected to at least one of the insulating elements. It is preferably formed in one piece with it or molded onto it (or vice versa).

The biasing element and / or the insulating element can comprise an elastomer molded onto at least one of the guide elements. Such an embodiment is inexpensive to manufacture and surprisingly provides a reproducible and sufficiently large pretensioning force.

The pretensioning device can have a contact section which is arranged on the guide device, in particular is fastened or integrally formed, and projects in at least one section of the guide device in the radial direction beyond an outer contour of the guide elements in order to form a support point for radial support of the guide direction. Alternatively or additionally, a component of the setting device receiving the guide device, in particular a housing section, can have at least one inwardly projecting contact section which is arranged on the components, in particular fastened or integrally formed, the contact section having at least one support point for radial support of the guide direction. In other words, at least one elastic contact section is provided, which is arranged in the radial direction between the guide device and a component receiving the guide device, for example between a guide element and a housing section. The contact section thus provides radial support for the guide device. It can also be provided on a prestressing element surrounding the guide elements in the circumferential direction or be formed by the latter itself or be an independent functional component.

If the contact section is elastic at least in sections, for example comprises an elastomer, this can also provide the inward prestressing force by means of an outward support. Each guide element would then preferably be provided with such an elastic contact section. The contact section can also be provided on the insulating element (s). The contact section can also - additionally or alternatively - comprise an electrically insulating and / or the elastic material or be made entirely therefrom.

As already mentioned at the beginning, the detection device can have at least two detection sections which are arranged offset to one another in the setting direction and / or in the circumferential direction. Appropriate control of the sections allows conclusions to be drawn about an axial position and / or position (e.g. tilting) of the element in the guide device. The spatial resolution of the detection device depends on the number and positioning of the detection sections and can be selected as required.

According to one embodiment, a control device is assigned to the detection device. The detection device can also be connected to a (higher-level) control device with which signals from the detection device can be detected and / or can be evaluated in order to determine the presence, position and / or position of the element in the region of the guide device. In order to obtain more precise information about the progress of the setting of the element, the time course or changes in the measured variables or can be analyzed.

Fig. 1

eine Setzeinrichtung in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,

Fig. 2 bis 6

einen Querschnitt durch die Setzeinrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 in verschiedenen Betriebszuständen,

Fig. 7

einen Querschnitt durch die Setzeinrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 bei einer Fehlfunktion,

Fig. 8

eine Querschnitt durch eine Fußplatte der Setzeinrichtung mit einer Ausführungsform einer Führungseinrichtung,

Fig. 9

die Komponenten der Führungseinrichtung gemäß Fig. 8 in einer Explosionsdarstellung,

Fig. 10A bis 10D

eine weitere Ausführungsform der Führungseinrichtung in einer Perspektivansicht, einem Querschnitt bzw. zwei Längsschnitten,

Fig. 11

eine weitere Ausführungsform der Führungseinrichtung in einer Perspektivansicht,

Fig. 12

eine Ausführungsform der Fußplatte in einer Perspektivansicht,

Fig. 13

einen Querschnitt durch die Fußplatte gemäß Fig. 12,

Fig. 14A bis 14D

eine weitere Ausführungsform der Führungseinrichtung in einer Perspektivansicht, einem Querschnitt bzw. zwei Längsschnitten,

Fig. 15A bis 15D

eine weitere Ausführungsform der Führungseinrichtung in einer Perspektivansicht, einem Querschnitt bzw. zwei Längsschnitten,

Fig. 16 bis 18

weitere Ausführungsformen der Führungseinrichtung,

Fig. 19

eine Ausführungsform des Führungselements und

Fig. 20 bis 22

weitere Ausführungsformen der Führungseinrichtung.

The present invention is explained below purely by way of example on the basis of advantageous embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a setting device in a perspective view,

2 to 6

a cross section through the setting device according Fig. 1 in different operating states,

Fig. 7

a cross section through the setting device according Fig. 1 in the event of a malfunction,

Fig. 8

2 shows a cross section through a footplate of the setting device with an embodiment of a guide device,

Fig. 9

the components of the guide device according to Fig. 8 in an exploded view,

10A to 10D

another embodiment of the guide device in a perspective view, a cross section or two longitudinal sections,

Fig. 11

another embodiment of the guide device in a perspective view,

Fig. 12

An embodiment of the foot plate in a perspective view

Fig. 13

a cross section through the base plate Fig. 12 .

14A to 14D

another embodiment of the guide device in a perspective view, a cross section or two longitudinal sections,

15A to 15D

another embodiment of the guide device in a perspective view, a cross section or two longitudinal sections,

16 to 18

further embodiments of the guide device,

Fig. 19

an embodiment of the guide element and

20 to 22

further embodiments of the guide device.

Fig. 1 shows a setting device 10 in a perspective view. This includes a guide housing 12 and a guide plate 14. The setting device 10 has a sensor 16 with which it can be monitored whether the setting device 10 is in a closed or in an open state. A foot plate 18 is arranged on the guide plate 14 and can be brought into contact with a workpiece in order to fasten a fastening element thereon.

Fig. 2 shows a cross section through part of the guide plate 14 and through the foot plate 18. The guide plate 14 has a feed channel 20 through which the fastening element 22 to be fastened to the workpiece can be brought into a position from which it can be pressed towards and into the workpiece by a punch or ram 24 which can be moved in a setting direction S. In Fig. 2 an initial situation / position is shown in which the element 22 is clamped by means of a holding finger. The setting device 10 is open and the element 22 can be processed. The base plate 18 has already been brought into contact with a surface of a workpiece 36 to which the element 22 is to be attached. It goes without saying that the workpiece 36, which is exemplified as a sheet metal part, can also be configured differently. The same applies to element 22.

In Fig. 3 the element 22 coming from the initial situation is pressed by the punch 24 into a channel-like axial cavity 26 of a guide device 28 of the base plate 18. The holding fingers are pressed back.

The guide device 28 comprises a plurality of guide segments 30A, 30B. The segments 30A, 30B are separate components separated from one another by a slot 39, each of which has a cross-section in the form of a segment of a circle and are arranged such that they delimit the cavity 26 in the circumferential direction. They are pretensioned in a direction towards a longitudinal axis 32H of the cavity 26, which is arranged coaxially with a longitudinal axis 32S of the die 24, that is to say radially inward, by a pretensioning device which is not shown in detail. As soon as element 22 enters cavity 26, segments 30A, 30B are pressed outward against the biasing force generated by the biasing means.

Fig. 4 shows how the element 22 is pushed through the cavity 26 of the guide device 28. A peripheral surface 34 of the element 22 interacts with the segments 30A, 30B. Due to the preload a reliable Guidance of the element 22 ensured because the risk of tilting or tilting of the element 22 is minimized.

Fig. 5 shows how the element 22 is pressed into the only indicated workpiece 36. The element 22 is a self-punching element. For the sake of simplicity, forming a rivet section 38 of the element 22 is not shown, which can be brought about by the action of a die, not shown. For example, the deformed rivet section 38 engages behind the workpiece 38 on its rear side. A punch slug, not shown, was removed. For the sake of completeness, it is pointed out that the setting device 10 can in principle also be used with non-self-piercing elements 22. The workpiece 36 is then pre-punched in a suitable manner.

Fig. 6 shows the "normal case": After the element 22 has been fastened to the workpiece 36, the setting device 10 is removed from the latter and brought into a new setting position. This can be done by moving the setting device 10 or moving the workpiece 36. Both the setting device 10 and the workpiece 36 can also be moved or a new workpiece 36 can be brought in. A new element 22 has already been brought into the starting position, which is also shown in FIG Fig. 2 has already been shown.

Fig. 7 shows a malfunction of the setting device 10. The first element 22 is still in the area of the guide device 28, for example because it has jammed there, and blocks the cavity 26 provided for guiding the element 22. The second element 22, which has already been brought into the starting position would now be pressed against the first element 22 by the punch 24, which would very likely result in damage to the setting device 10, in particular the guide device 28.

In order to detect this malfunction, a detection device is provided, by means of which the presence of an element 22 in the cavity 26 can be detected. One embodiment of such a detection device is shown in Fig. 8 shown. It is integrated in the guide device 28, the components of which in Fig. 9 are shown in an exploded view.

The guide device 28 comprises four guide segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D (preferably made of metal), each of which forms a peripheral section of the cavity 26. They are separated from one another by insulating pins 40 which are arranged in slots 39 provided between adjacent guide segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D (see, for example, FIG Fig. 3 . 10A, 10B ). The insulating pins 40 can consist of an elastomer. They electrically isolate adjacent segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D and, due to their elastic properties, enable the segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D to move relative. In order to generate the pretension of the segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D described at the outset, elastic rings 42A, 42B, 42C (for example O-rings) are provided. They lie in appropriately dimensioned grooves 44. The rings 42A, 42B, 42C prestress the segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D radially inward against the elastic insulating pins 40. By inserting an element 22 into the cavity 26, the rings 42A, 42B, 42C are stretched. Ultimately, a force is exerted on the element 22 in the radial direction, which stabilizes the position of the element 22.

As in Fig. 8 As can be seen, the electrically conductive segments 30A and 30B are connected to electrical conductors 46A, 46B. These allow a voltage to be applied between the elements 30A, 30B by means of a control device. When element 22 is electrically conductive, it short-circuits segments 30A, 30B as soon as it enters cavity 26 so that a current can flow, which is sensed by the controller. In principle, it is also possible to determine the presence of the element 22 in an analogous manner using a resistance measurement or other electrical parameters.

In the in the Figures 8 and 9 In the embodiment shown, four segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D are provided, two of which (30 A and 30 B) act as electrical contacts. It goes without saying that the number of guide segments provided and the type of contacting (eg contact pairing) can be selected as required. Furthermore, it is possible not to use individual guide segments themselves as electrical contacts, but rather to provide only sections of one of the segments or a plurality of segments with electrical contacts.

Axial support of the guide device 28 or the segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D in a housing 18A of the plate 18 takes place via an electrically insulating support ring 45. Radial support can take place via the rings 42A, 42C, since these are partly made of Protrude grooves 44 and thus protrude in the radial direction over the segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D.

The Figures 10A to 10D show a further embodiment of the guide device 28, wherein Figure 10A is a perspective view and 10B to 10D Cross cuts or longitudinal cuts are. The rings 42A, 42B, 42C and the insulating pins 40 are integrally formed. They can also only be connected to one another or be separate components. According to a particularly simple embodiment, the above-mentioned components are molded onto the segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D. Preferred materials from which the components mentioned can be molded are elastically deformable plastics, in particular elastomers. For example, these are obtained by vulcanizing a thermoplastic natural rubber or a synthetic rubber.

Especially the Figures 10A and 10D it can be seen that the segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D are provided on their respective upper sides with recesses 48A or 48B which enable the segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D to be axially fixed, which will be explained in more detail below.

Fig. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of the guide device 28. Here, insulating pins 40 are provided which extend between the rings 42A, 42C in the axial direction, but do not project beyond them in the axial direction. The slots 39 are therefore only partially filled. Unlike shown, these components can be formed in one piece. The ring 42B lying in the axial direction between the rings 42A, 42C has a substantially square basic shape and engages around the insulating pins 40 from the outside in order to generate an additional prestress.

Fig. 12 shows the guide device 28 of the Fig. 11 in a state mounted in the base plate 18. The conductors 46A, 46B are connected via a multipole plug 50 to a control device (not shown in more detail). An electrical connection to the guide plate 14 is also established via the plug 50 (see conductor 46C). The segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D are fixed from above by a fixing element 52 and a feed rail 54 in the housing 18A of the footplate 18. The feed rail 54 forms part of the channel 20 (see Fig. 2 ).

Fig. 13 shows the foot plate 18 in a sectional view. The axial fixation of the guide device 28 by the fixing element 52 and the feed rail 54 can be seen. The fixing element 52 is made of insulating material and can therefore be in direct contact with the segment 30A. It is screwed to the housing 18A by means of a screw 56. In contrast, the feed rail 54, which plays a role in bringing the element 22 into the starting position, is insulated from the segment 30B by means of an insulating plate 58. The fixing element 52 and the feed rail 54 engage in the recesses 48A and 48B, respectively. The components 52, 54 can be made of plastic.

The Figures 14A to 14D show a further embodiment of the guide device 28, wherein Figure 14A is a perspective view and 14B to 14D Cross cuts or longitudinal cuts are. Instead of the insulating pins 40 of the embodiments according to FIGS 8, 9 and 10A to 10D With a substantially circular cross section, insulating pins 40 with an approximately trapezoidal cross section are arranged in the slots 39 between adjacent segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D. The insulating pins 40 project radially outward beyond the segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, so that they enable the guide device 28 to be supported in the housing 18A. In other words, the insulating pins 40 not only serve to electrically isolate the segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D from one another, but also serve to support them radially. The elastic properties of the insulating pins 40 provide - with suitable dimensioning of the radial projection - for the desired preload on the segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D. The radial inner sides of the insulating pins 40 are set back from the inner sides of the segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D so as not to hinder the movement of the element 22 through the cavity 26. The insulating pins 40 can be separate components or can be molded onto the segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D. They preferably consist of an elastomer.

The concept of creating a pretensioning device by means of elements with elastic properties projecting outward in the radial direction can in principle also be implemented separately from the insulating pins 40. For example, in addition or as an alternative, it is possible to provide or form elastic stop sections on the outer sides of the segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, which are supported in the housing 18A. Conversely, in addition or as an alternative, elastic contact sections which protrude radially inward can also be provided on the housing 18A and serve to radially support the guide device 28. The contact sections can be fastened to the guide device 28 and / or the housing 18A or can be integrally formed thereon or can be separate components.

The Figures 15A to 15D show a further embodiment of the guide device 28, wherein Figure 15A is a perspective view and 15B to 15D Cross cuts or longitudinal cuts are. Instead of the segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, segments 30A, 30B, 30C, 30C ', 30C ", 30D, 30D', 30D" are provided, between each of which an insulating pin 40 is arranged in a corresponding slot 39. This shows that in principle any number of guide segments can be provided in order to best take account of the respective requirements. The same applies to the number and design of the insulating pins. You can fill in the interruptions between the guide segments completely or only partially and basically have any configuration that meets your needs (eg cross-sectional geometry).

Fig. 16 FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the guide device 28 in which the segment 30B (as in the embodiments described above) is connected directly to a conductor 46B. When an element 22 is inserted into the cavity 26, it pushes the segments 30A, 30B apart against the bias generated by the rings 42. Thereby, a contact point 59A, which is provided on the segment 30A, comes into contact with a contact point 59B, which is provided on the housing 18A. Housing 18A is in turn connected to conductor 46A. In this case, too, a circuit is closed by the element 22, but a minimum relative movement of the segments 30A, 30B, which is defined by a distance of the contact points 59A, 59B in a basic state, must be added in order to ultimately effect the closing of the circuit.

Fig. 17 shows a detection device in which the segment 30A has a plurality of detector elements 60 - for example contact surfaces - which are connected to one another in pairs. If the element 22 is in a position in which the two contact surfaces 60 of a connected pair are in contact with it, a circuit is closed again, which a determination of the position of the element 22 in the cavity 26 enables. In Fig. 17 This situation is exemplified by the position of the element 22, by which the two uppermost detector elements 60 are short-circuited.

Instead of the contact surfaces 60, other sensors and / or signal sources can also be provided, which also do not necessarily have to be functionally coupled in pairs. For example, sound sources and sound sensors can be provided that detect a reflection of sound waves on the element 22. The detector elements 60 can also be motion or vibration sensors to detect changes in the vibration / vibration pattern or the natural vibration of the guide device 28 or the footplate 18 (the elements 60 - or at least one element 60 - can then also be attached to the inside or outside of the housing 18A be) caused by the presence / location / position of an element 22 in the cavity. The detector elements 60 can also be optical or magnetic sensors or pressure sensors or sensors of another type (e.g. embedded measuring coils).

Fig. 18 shows a further embodiment of the guide device 28. Detector elements 60 are provided here both on the segment 30A and on the segment 30B. These can, for example, be coupled to one another in such a way that opposite detector elements 60 form a pairing which are used to generate a signal (for example a pair of contact surfaces or a pair of transmitters and receivers). However, it is also possible to control and / or monitor the individual elements 60 individually or in groups in order to obtain a more precise picture of the position of the element 22 and / or its position in space. In Fig. 18 As an example, a tilted element 22 was drawn in, which due to its position is in contact with two detector elements / contact surfaces 60 not opposite one another and thus closes a circuit between these elements 60, which is recognized by the control device and interpreted as a malfunction.

Fig. 19 shows a plan view of a guide segment 30A with a plurality of detector elements 60, which are arranged not only distributed in the axial direction (cf. setting direction S) but also in the circumferential direction.

Based on 17 to 19 it becomes clear that a number, arrangement and functional grouping of detector elements 60 can be selected as required (in particular with regard to the desired spatial resolution of the element detection). The type of detector elements used (including electrical measurement - e.g. voltage, current, resistance -, measurement of acoustic signals, measurement of vibrations and / or of movements and / or distances, measurement of optical signals, measurement of mechanical parameters - e.g. pressure and / or voltage ) is basically freely selectable. Different types of detectors can also be combined in order to create a detection device suitable for the respective application.

Fig. 20 shows an embodiment of a detection device based on the measurement of a change in distance between the segments 30A, 30B. For this purpose, a connecting element 61 serving as a measuring device is provided, which bridges the slot 39 and connects the two segments 30A, 30B to one another. This can be, for example, an electrical conductor, the electrical properties of which are influenced by a change in length, or a strain gauge.

It is also possible, additionally or alternatively, to detect and evaluate a change in the distance between the segments 30A, 30B and the housing 18A. For this purpose, distance sensors 62 (for example capacitive sensors) are provided, for example, which in Fig. 21 are shown. In addition or as an alternative to the distance sensors 62, strain gauges or piezo sensors can also be provided.

Fig. 22 shows a detection device which is based on the measurement of a pressure in the region of the guide device 28. For this purpose, compressed air is introduced into the cavity 26 (see arrow D). At one or more points in the housing 18A, in particular in or adjacent to the cavity 26, the pressure which is established is measured by means of corresponding pressure sensors 64. The pressure that arises at the one or more measuring points depends, among other things, on whether and, where appropriate, where an element 22 is located in the cavity 26.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

setting means

12

guide housing

14

guide plate

16

sensor

18

footplate

20

supply channel

22

fastener

24

Pestle or stamp

26

cavity

28

guide means

30A, 30B, 30C, 30C ', 30C ", 30D, 30D', 30D"

guide segment

32H, 32S

longitudinal axis

34

peripheral surface

36

workpiece

38

rivet

39

slot

40

insulated pin

42, 42A, 42B, 42C

ring

44

groove

45

support ring

46A, 46B

ladder

48A, 48B

recess

50

plug

52

fixed element

54

supply rail

56

screw

58

insulation

59A, 59B

contact point

60

detector element

61

connecting element

62

distance sensor

64

pressure sensor

S

setting means

D

compressed air

Claims (15)

Setting device for fastening an element to a workpiece with a guide device which can be brought into mechanical contact with the element and which has an axial cavity for guiding the element, and with an axially movable stamp for moving the element in a setting direction through the cavity of the guide device, the Guide device has at least a first and a second guide element, the guide elements delimiting the axial cavity and being pretensioned by means of a pretensioning device by means of a pretensioning force acting radially inwards on at least one of the guide elements, and wherein the guide device is assigned a detection device with which a presence, position and / or position of an element in the region of the guide device can be detected. Setting device according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the detection device has an electrical operating principle, in particular a capacitive, inductive and / or resistive operating principle, and / or an optical and / or magnetic and / or acoustic operating principle and / or comprises a force and or pressure sensor. Setting device according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
the detection device is at least partially integrated in at least one of the guide elements and / or that at least one measuring tap or sensor of the detection device is arranged in an effective area of the guide device, seen in the setting direction. Setting device according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the detection device comprises a first contact element, which is provided on an inside of the first guide element, and a second contact element, which is provided on an inside of the second guide element, the contact elements coming into contact with the element through the cavity at least in sections can be brought and by means of the detection device an electrical voltage and / or an electrical current can be applied between the contact elements. Setting device according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the detection device comprises at least one magnetic field sensor, in particular a Hall sensor, and / or that the detection device comprises at least one measuring coil, in particular wherein the measuring coil is arranged coaxially with the cavity, and / or that the detection device has at least one piezo sensor and / or one Strain gauge, by means of which a force acting on at least one of the guide elements and / or a force between the guide elements can be detected. Setting device according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the detection device comprises at least one movement or distance sensor with which a movement of the guide device and / or at least one of the guide elements can be detected, in particular wherein a movement and / or a change in distance of the at least one of the guide elements relative to another component of the setting device and / or a movement and / or a change in distance of the guide elements relative to one another can be detected. Setting device according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the detection device comprises at least one sound source and at least one sound sensor and / or that the detection device comprises at least one compressed air source and at least one pressure sensor. Setting device according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the guide elements are at least partially, in particular completely, made of an electrically conductive material, preferably metal. Setting device according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
guide elements which are adjacent in the circumferential direction are separated from one another by at least one interruption. Setting device according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the guide elements are electrically insulated from one another. Setting device according to claim 9,
characterized in that
at least one insulating element is arranged in the interruption, in particular wherein the insulating element comprises an electrically insulating and / or the elastic material or is made entirely therefrom. Setting device according to claim 9 or 11,
characterized in that
the detection device is at least partially arranged in the interruption and / or is integrated in the insulating element. Setting device according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the prestressing device comprises at least one elastic prestressing element, in particular at least one elastic prestressing element which is closed or annular in the circumferential direction and surrounds the guide elements on its radial outer side in the circumferential direction. Setting device according to claim 13,
characterized in that
the prestressing element is connected to at least one of the insulating elements, in particular is formed in one piece therewith, and / or that the prestressing element and / or the insulating element comprises an elastomer molded onto at least one of the guide elements. Setting device according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
a control device is assigned to the detection device or that the detection device is connected to a control device with which signals from the detection device can be detected and / or evaluated in order to determine the presence, position and / or position of the element in the area of the guide device.

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